Preacher, Preach against Preachers who Preach (Part 3)

Ezekiel 13.1-3

We ended our last look at this passage with a question about how to interpret Bible messages in this day of seeming multiple interpretations. With all religions, denominations and churches having a corner on the truth how is one to tell the difference? We’ve looked at the first two and a half principles:

1. Pray asking God for understanding before each message.
2. Listen carefully and take notes.
3. Make sure that the Bible is used and that illustrations are biblically supported.

We ended the last devotional with these questions: So, what if that happens today? What if the preacher uses the Bible to support his false teaching? How will I know that he is using the Bible in a wrong way? See steps 1 and 2 above.

If you are in one of our services and you hear something that you don’t understand or think is not biblical what should you do? Actually, in our church, we want you to question us. That’s right! We want you to come to us with your questions. Come to me and say, “Pastor I don’t understand what you said.” Or, “I don’t think that what you said is biblical.” Don’t stand up in church and ask your question unless I have said something gravely wrong but you can feel free to come to me or the other pastors and ask us questions.

We will answer your questions if we can. If we have said something that is not biblically supported we will take it back to the whole church and make sure that everyone knows that what we said was incorrect. Why? Because we want what we say to be what God’s Word says. We don’t want to be like the foolish prophets in Ezekiel’s day. We want to properly speak the Word of God.

If your question brings a question to our minds we will study it out. Or we might bring it back to the congregation and explain it. Why? Again, it is what we are supposed to do. We are to make the Bible easier for you to understand. If you had a question more than likely someone else had the same or very similar question. Hopefully dear reader, this question and answer freedom is true in your church as well. Let’s go to the fourth principle.

4. Beware of, “I believe”, “I think” statements. Each of these “opinion” statements need to be supported properly from scripture. It is not wrong to think or believe but when it comes to preaching it is better to say, “The Bible says” or “the Bible tells us”. When we can support our ideas and thoughts with scripture we have confidence that what we are saying is what God wants said.

However, having said this, you also need to be alert to “Biblical support” misapplied. As a preacher I need to make sure that I properly handle the Word of God (2 Timothy 2.15) and don’t use it improperly to suit my personal views. A pastor once told me, “Mike you can support almost anything by using the Bible.” He was right. There are many cults and false religions that use the Bible to support their twisted practices.

Here are a few positive and negative examples of “I believe/ I think” statements:

1. I believe that we all need to pray more.
2. I think that God has blue eyes.
3. I think that we will all speak English in heaven.
4. I believe that God wants your parents to be saved.
5. I believe that Jesus will come back this year.
6. I believe that God wants to bless you.
7. I think that God wants you to go to seminary

So, which of the above are my ideas and which are God’s? (Hint, God’s 1,4,6. Mine 2,3,5,7).

The Christian life can be confusing at times. However, as we spend time in God’s word with prayerful hearts, He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3.5-6). We need to pray for God’s protection on our desires, our goals and our plans. We need to spend time in His Word daily and allow Him to mold and shape our path.

Finally,

5. Never accept statements like, “God told me”, “God revealed to me”, or “I had a dream/ vision”. People who say these things are exactly like the prophets that God sent Ezekiel to confront. They are fools. They are spiritually and morally insensitive. They want to be in charge of your life. They are not communicating God’s word to you. They blaspheme God because they make their supposed visions or dreams equal with God’s revelation in the Bible. They show their arrogance by believing that God communicates with them on a higher plain than with anyone else. No one can dispute what they say and no one can fully identify with how they feel or how they have received their visions or dreams. They thus become impervious to attacks or discussion. God spoke to them and thus ends the debate (Ps 74:18). This “special” revelation reveals their arrogance and pride.

As mentioned before in my commentary’s quote, “Ezekiel described the basic cause of their foolishness as their reliance on their own hearts and failure to seek God’s revelation (cf. Jer 23:16-22; ch. 29).

Let’s not fall for the foolish and self-centered preaching that has nothing to do with what God want’s to tell us. If you are in such a church just now, get out! Don’t try to reform it or the preacher. If Ezekiel couldn’t you can’t either. Seek the Truth! God wants to speak to you.